The older ice breaking research ship of Hellenic Center for Polar Research (HCPR)

Note that I have original HMS Terra Nova in my computer as well.

Pytheas (named from the ancient Hellene explorer) is a derivative of HMS Terra Nova -which was built in my scenario- but with Mirrlees Blackstone engines instead of Ruston AO among other small changes, built also in Harland & Wolff and commissioned in 1973, being registered in Piraeus and manned by Hellenic Mercantile Navy (all of Hellenic origin and from small Aegean islands) plus scientists/researchers. She participated in many exploration missions with Denton and Salide mostly in Antarctica under joint programs or HCPR own programs. Originally helicopter on board Pytheas was a Sikorsky S-55, which was replaced by a AB-212 in 1979. Every 2-3 years Pytheas visited one particular shipyard in Perama (near Piraeus), which was tasked with her maintenance. She lived a quiet life for 4 decades and a new larger ship was ordered in RPM for use in 2019-20 season. But due to problems in PRM, Pytheas sailed again for Antarctica for 2018-2019 season and will do probably sail for another.

Last edited by odysseus1980 on September 27th, 2018, 6:20 pm, edited 3 times in total.

The older ice breaking research ship of Hellenic Center for Polar Research (HCPR):

Note that I have original HMS Terra Nova in my computer as well.

Pytheas (named from the ancient Hellene explorer) is a derivative of HMS Terra Nova -which was built in my scenario- but with Mirrlees Blackstone engines among other small changes. Shipyard was the same with her British sister ship.

She participated in many exploration missions with Denton and Salide mostly in Antarctica under joint programs or HCPR own programs. A new new ship is on order.

Beautiful looking vessel with nice lines and symetry.

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Although they are capable of taking anti-ship missiles, these hovercrafts in RHN have mainly logistic support role. Order came in 1980 for 10 units of which 6 were built under license. Their armament is twin 30mm cannons, 32 X 128 mm unguided rockets in 2 X 16 configuration (for engagement of the area targets on the shore before landing) and twin SADRAL, which replaced Sea Cat in early to mid 1990's. The 30mm cannons are LS-30 with a locally designed cover from reinforced plastic to avoid salt and sea spray affecting the cannon.

Propulsion is 1 X 6,000 hp Allison 570K.

Rocket launchers were specially developed to be as light as possible, but strong enough as well. The launcher also has cap in both sides to prevent problems from sea spray and salt. Several types of rockets are available.

Royal Hellenic Navy AU has a large hovercraft fleet consisting from British and Russian origin types, plus a locally developed one for entering LPH and LPDs. That was developed and built from mid 1980's to late 1990's, using experience from license manufactured British hovercrafts. The fleet includes also 6 Zubr hovercrafts.

Last edited by odysseus1980 on March 8th, 2018, 6:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.